CPS chief: High schools, top schools likely off closing list

Chicago Public Schools chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett has agreed in general to take high schools and high-performing schools off the list of school closings.

But there's a caveat: Those high schools that require costly repairs or are so small that they don't provide a robust curriculum may still be considered for closing. Similarly, high-performing schools in dilapidated buildings may be relocated to a nearby under-used building.

She said there may be some "rare cases" where concerns about buildings' safety will force closure.

"Some of our buildings are so old and in disrepair, the investments we will have to make those buildings safe is something that I think is primary" to consider, she said.

Byrd-Bennett publicly disclosed her response today to a set of recommendations issued by a Commission on School Utilization. She appointed the commission to seek public input and study the issue of school closings as Chicago gets set to close scores of schools that are under-enrolled.

CPS has released a list of 330 schools that are under-utilized. A narrower list will be released Feb. 13, taking into consideration some of the commission's recommendations that have been accepted by the district.

The district said other recommendations will be explored further: For example, the commission recommended that schools with 600 or more students shouldn't be closed. Byrd-Bennett said today that there may be instances that warrant closing these schools.

The commission also recommended that schools close to capacity, hovering around 70 to 75 percent of full utilization, shouldn’t be considered for closing. Byrd-Bennett said she wants to look further at those schools' enrollment data and see if they can improve with additional resources.

The commission has also suggested saving those schools termed Level 2 — not failing, but not proficient, either — that are improving. CPS wants to further define an improving Level 2 school.

Finally, the commission recommended saving schools that have already faced some form of school action, typically defined as gradual closing, sharing a building or closing. Byrd-Bennett said the district will take time to define which of those schools would be saved from a shut down.

The district begins a second round of public engagement meetings on Jan. 28.